Things To Do In Rome - OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card

When in Rome you won’t be short of a historic attraction or two. Some of the best sites in the world can be found in the Eternal City, dating back over 2,000 years. With so many sites to visit it can be hard to know which are the best things to do in Rome; so here are 19 top things we believe any visitor needs to do on their trip to Rome. From the iconic Coliseum, to the Pantheon and St Peter’s Basilica take in Rome’s rich history and piece together its past at these unforgettable attractions.

Colosseum

Attraction type: Ancient Ruin

The Coliseum is considered the world’s most famous amphitheatre and was the scene of many gory and gruesome gladiator fights over two millennia ago. As the centre of entertainment for the ancient Romans it has seen many epic contests and its walls could tell a thousand stories. Explore this ancient ruin and walk through the tunnels around this impressive site, learning of both the ancient Roman Empire, it’s hierarchy system and the Rome they left in its legacy.

Roman Forum

Attraction type: Ancient Ruin

The Roman Forum is the ancient city of Rome and any visit to this historic site is a must-do on your trip. This breath-taking collection of ancient ruins used to be a busy marketplace bustling with traders, alongside fantastic churches and arches which made up the structure of their city. Up on the Palatine Hill you can look down on this historic forum and walk around the grounds, aviaries and Imperial Palace.

Borghese Gallery

Attraction type: Art Gallery

The Borghese Gallery in the beautiful public park Villa Borghese is one of the best art galleries in Rome for the wealth of priceless pieces it has on show. The gallery features the art collection founded by Scipione Borghese and is the largest private collection of art in the world. See pieces from Caravaggio, Botticelli and Raphael among other famous Renaissance paintings and sculptures by Bernini.

Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums

Attraction type: Religious History & Museums

You cannot miss the Vatican Museums during your visit to Rome. This huge national attraction welcomes millions of visitors a year and has miles of art, sculptures, tapestries and mosaics on show by some of the most famous Italian artists in history. A must is the Sistine Chapel with its ceiling fresco, The Last Judgement. See the work of Michelangelo for yourself and learn about Papal history through this fascinating museum.

St Peter's Basilica

Attraction type: Religious Historic Building

St Peter’s Basilica is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Rome for its huge dome and brilliant marble façade. This religious historic building is the largest church in Rome and has become a place of global pilgrimage. Step inside to admire the stunning sculptures and architecture of this vast church, from the famous baroque Baldacchino to the huge dome. You can also climb the steps up the dome for one of the most breath-taking views over Rome from right at the top.

Museum of Rome

Attraction type: Art Gallery & Museum

The Museum of Rome champions the works of Italian artists from the medieval ages to the 20th century, including Roman baroque architecture, paintings, furniture and ceramics. In the heart of Renaissance Rome, Palazzo Braschi couldn’t be better suited for a cultural visit to appreciate Rome’s ‘forgotten ages’. See medieval frescoes, to 10th century mosaics – it’s a great place for any art aficionado.

Pantheon

Attraction type: Historic Building

The Pantheon, meaning ‘relating to the gods, is one of the most historic buildings in Rome, built in 118 AD on the request of Emperor Hadrian. The most iconic features of the building is its circular portico, or open ceiling. It’s a feat of outstanding architectural engineering and its considered the best preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings. It’s a working church to this day so you can visit either to worship or to witness the impressive site for yourself.

Castel Sant'Angelo

Attraction type: Historic Attraction

Castel Sant’angelo is Rome’s impressive fortress sat on the bank of the River Tiber. This ancient building, originally Hadrian’s mausoleum, dates back over 2,000 years and was later turned into a fortress also serving as papal refuge in times of need. Now visitors can see the impressive statue of the archangel Michael on the roof, giving the fortress its name.

Capitoline Museums

Attraction type: Art Gallery & Museum

Founded by Pope Sixtus IV in the 15th century, The Capitoline Museums have become one of Rome’s best art galleries and museums of historic artefacts, art and sculpture. A visit to this museum will give you a fascinating insight into Ancient Rome and some of the most important characters throughout the city’s history, such as the She Wolf with Romulus and Remus. Many of the pieces are the originals donated by Pope Sixtus IV when he first opened the museum.

Ara Pacis

Attraction type: Historic Artefact

The Ara Pacis is a stunning historic alter dedicated to Pax, the Roman Goddess of Peace. Built in 13 BC it was commissioned by the Roman Senate to honour the return of Augustus. If you look closely at the intricate engravings they symbolise an Augustan vision of Roman civil religion. The alter was originally located a Roman mile from the pomerium on the west side of Via Flaminia before undergoing a restoration and recovery in the Renaissance times to 1938 when it was moved to its current location.

Trevi Fountain

Attraction type: Historic landmark

The Trevi Fountain is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture and sculpture in all of Rome. Completed in 1762, it measures an impressive 26.3 metres high and 49.15 metres wide making it the one of the most famous fountains in the world. It’s custom to throw in a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder to ensure you’ll return to Rome!

The Spanish Steps

Attraction type: Historic Attraction

The Spanish Steps are some of the most renowned steps in the world, linking Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Trinità dei Monti. An impressive 135 steps to climb will give you an incredible terracotta coloured cityscape over the rooftops of Rome and down into the square with its baroque fountain, called ‘Fountain of the ugly boat’ – and you’ll see why! Designed by Francesco de Sanctis they were completed in 1725 and have been a must-see site in Rome ever since.

Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica: Palazzo Barberini

Attraction type: Art Gallery & Museum

The National Museum of Ancient Art located in the former Palazzo Barberini was designed for Pope Urban VIII in the late 1620s. The former palazzo has since become a great art gallery and museum, thanks to the personal collection was donated to the state in the late 1800s. The collection showcases fine tapestries from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and works by Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio to name a few.

Address: Via delle Quattro Fontane, 13, 00186 Roma

Nearest Metro: Barberini (Metro line A)

Visit duration: 2 hours

Mercati di Traiano

Attraction type: Ancient ruin

Trajan’s Market, or Mercati di Traiano, is located by the Foro Imperiali near the Coliseum, and is a large complex of ruins that was once part of Trajan’s Forum. It’s believed to be the world’s oldest shopping mall and was part of the bustling city at the time – even acting as the administration office for Emperor Trajan. Parts of the building are so well preserved that you can even see the marble floors and remains of a library!

Circus Maxentius and Romulus Mausoleum

Attraction type: Ancient Ruin

Located just out of Rome on the Via Appia, the Circus Maxentius was built back in 306 AD and it’s now one of the best preserved of all circuses in Rome. A visit to the Circus Maxentius will involve a walk around the old race tracks where you can see the standing ruins, putlog holes and the spina – a barrier running down the middle of the track. If you like ancient ruins and history this is a fascinating place to go to learn about old Roman traditions.

MACRO - Contemporary Art Museum

Attraction type: Art Gallery

The MACRO, which stands for the Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome, is housed in an old Peroni factory and brewery. This quirky contemporary art gallery is famous for showcasing some priceless contemporary art works of Italian artists, including works from the Italian art scene from the 1960s, Forma 1, such as the Scuola di Piazza del Popolo, Tano Festa, Mario Schifano, Daniele Gallia and Federico Guida.

Piazza Navona

Attraction type: Historic Square

Piazza Navona is an iconic square in Rome built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian which held competitive games for the Roman’s entertainment. Now, it’s used as a public space and is one of the most popular squares in the city, lined with restaurants and bars, stalls and crafts. It’s also exemplary of the Baroque architecture thanks to its transformation in the mid-1600s. You can’t miss the Fountain of the Four Rivers, by Bernini, with its imposing obelisk at the other end of the square.

St John in the Lateran

Attraction type: Religious Historic Building

St John in the Lateran is the official seat of the Pope and home to the Scala Sancta – where thousands make pilgrimage to every year. It’s the oldest and most important church in Rome, dating back to 324 AD. You can appreciate the stunning cosmatesque design and baroque style and architecture including great marble statues and mosaics.

Domus Romane

Attraction type: Ancient Ruin

Underneath the Palazzo Valentini you’ll find the ancient archaeological ruins of Roman houses belonging to wealthy and powerful families; the Domus of Imperial Rome. The ancient ruins are so well preserved you can see delicate mosaics, wall decorations and paving blocks which were expertly excavated to be revealed to the public to learn more about Rome’s rich history.